SOOOOO…..I’ve never been much for walking, outside or on a treadmill….I did it because that’s what folks told me to do…..but I never liked it. Well I’ve found a way to enjoy it.
When I started walking I literally was just doing laps in my circle. I was nervous about the heat and what if I fell or something. Then my mother reminded me, “You’ve never been afraid of anything.” I needed that reminder because somehow, some way, I HAD become afraid of the dumbest things.
So each day I’ve been adding distance and difficulty by going further, adding a subtle incline, etc.
Now, I’ve always listened to music or talk radio in the car and with my new addiction to Tom MacDonald I’m ALWAYS listening to him. However, while walking I found that I would get irritated that I didn’t like whatever came up on shuffle and I just hadn’t taken the time to build a walking/workout “playlist.” But as I wanted to extend my walks without staring at a watch….I started looking for interesting podcasts that are 30 minutes to an hour long and walking until they’re over.
Sometimes, I forget I’m working out and get sucked into the content. Other times I find myself focusing on the steps and the push – so I change the podcast. In the month of July, I’ve gone from walking maybe 15 minutes in the morning to walking at minimum 30 minutes in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening, usually after dinner.
Now I’m in the “deep south” and it’s July, so it’s HOT, not just hot but sticky hot! I try to keep my sleep schedule so that I’m up around 5:30-5:45 so that I can do my morning reading, communion with the “Father” and be walking as early as possible. I’ve been waiting until nearly sunset to go on my second walk. As we get into the dog days of summer, not sure what I’ll do – but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.
Stick around to see how far I’m able to go.